UPSC CDS (I) Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights

UPSC CFDS (I) & (II) 2025 Exam Pattern

The UPSC CDS (I) & (II) 2025 Exam Pattern is designe to evaluate candidates' proficiency in English, General Knowledge & Mathematics.

The exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper) and follows an objective-type question format. For candidates applying to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA), the exam consists of three sections.

1. English : Test grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and sentence structure.

2. General Knowledge : Covers current events, history, geography, science and defense-related topics.

3. Mathematics : Includes Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration and Statistics.

For candidates applying to the Officers' Training Academy (OTA), the exam pattern consists of only two sections:

1. English

2. General Knowledge

The total marks are 300 for IMA, INA and AFA and 200 for OTA,. Each question carries equal weightage, and there is negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates who qualify the written exam proceed to the SSB Interview, which assesses leadership, teamwork, and officer-like qualities. This comprehensive pattern ensures a fair evaluation of academic and practical aptitude.

UPSC CDS (I) & (II) 2025 Scheme of Examination:

The competitive examination comprises:

(a) Written examination.

(b) Interview for intelligence and personality test (vide Part ‘B’ of this Appendix) of such candidates as may be called for an interview at one of the Services Selection Centres.

The subjects of the written examination, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject will be as follows:

(A) For Admission to Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy:-

1. Written Examination:

Note:

• Maximum marks allotted to the written exam and to the interviews will be equal for each course i.e.

  the maximum marks allotted to the written exam and to the interviews will be 300, 300, 300 and 200 each for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers’ Training Academy respectively

• The papers in all the subjects will consist of objective type questions only. The question papers (Test Booklets) of General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics will be set bilingually in Hindi as well as English.
• In the question papers, wherever necessary, questions involving the metric system of Weights and Measures only will be set
• The candidates are not permitted to use a calculator for answering objective type papers (Test Booklets). They should not, therefore, bring the same inside the Examination Hall.

2. Intelligence & Personality Test:

The SSB procedure consists of the two-stage Selection process - stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. The details are:

(a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception* Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on a combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.

(b) Stage II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days. The details of these tests are given on the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in

The personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors viz. The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There are no separate weightage for each test.

The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate holistically in all the test. In addition, marks for Conference are also allotted based on the initial performance of the Candidate in the three techniques and decision of the Board. All these have equal weightage.

The various tests of IO, GTO and Psych are designed to bring out the presence/absence of Officer Like Qualities and their trainability in a candidate. Accordingly, candidates are Recommended or Not Recommended at the SSB.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is the exam pattern of CDS 2025 the same for IMA, INA, AFA Written exam adn OTS written exam?

No, the UPSC CDS Exam pattern 2025 is not the same for the IMA, INA, AFA written exam, and IT's written exam. Check see the details in the preceding article.

2. How many questions will be asked in the CDS exam 2025?

The IMA, INA and AFA written exams will have questions, while the OTA written exam will have 200 questions, according to the CDS 2025 exam design.

3. What will be the maximum marks for the CS question paper?

The CDS IMA, INA and AFA Exam papers are worth 300 points, while the OTA question paper is worth 200 points.

4. How can I prepare for the CDS 2025 Exam?

Solve the CDS Question papers in accordance with the syllabus and exam pattern. Manage your schedule in accordance with the CDS Syllabus.

5. Is the CDS exam tough?

Yes, It is difficult, but if applicants have properly prepared for the exam, they will easily pass.

6. When will the CDS (I) 2025 Notification be released?

On 11 December, 2024, The CDS (I) Notification 2025 was made availabel online at upsc.gov.in.

7. When is the CDS (I) 2025 Exam?

On 14 April, 2025, the CDS (I) 2025 written test will be administered online.